Birch Trail Camp for Girls

UPDATES: Hiring for Summer 2027!

Hiring:

How to Apply: : Both men and women who are at least 18 are encouraged to apply. For more information about Birch Trail and to find an online application, please visit www.birchtrail.com.

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls ages 7–15, located in the Northwoods of Minong, Wisconsin. Each summer, 220 campers and 140 staff come together to create a safe, fun, and non-competitive community where girls grow, try new things, and build lasting friendships.

Wilderness tripping is at the heart of the Birch Trail experience. Every camper heads out on an adventure, from overnights to eight-day expeditions through some of the upper Midwest's most remarkable backcountry, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Isle Royale National Park.

We're looking for fun, patient, caring, and responsible people who want to spend their summer outdoors helping kids grow. On trail, you'll guide campers as they paddle, portage, pitch tents, cook their own meals, and discover what they're capable of. Along the way, you'll help them build confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of the wilderness.

Whether you're a seasoned trip leader or just getting started in the backcountry, we want to hear from you. Experienced staff will find room to lead and mentor, and those newer to tripping will receive the training they need to succeed.

After a summer at Birch Trail, you'll leave with memories, friendships, skills, and experiences that last a lifetime. Come join us!

Job Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the Trip Director, Wilderness Trip Leaders guide basic camping, backpacking, flat-water and white-water canoeing, sea kayaking, and rock climbing trips depending on their own experiences and backgrounds.  Additional responsibilities include:

• Serving as guides and educators to both campers and counselors participating in the program;

• Arranging the logistics, routes, and equipment selection for each trip;

• Overseeing all risk assessment and safety components prior to and during the trip;

• Educating participants in Leave No Trace philosophies and outdoor skills;

• Providing basic maintenance of camping equipment; and

• Assisting in other areas of the camp program when needed.

All staff members of Birch Trail Camp must be able to:

• Be capable of appropriate and sustained mental, emotional and social interactions in our constantly changing, youth-centered and community living camp setting

• Think clearly at all times.

• Work cooperatively with staff and campers.

• Exercise good judgment.

• Operate tools, equipment, vehicles, boats and appliances as applicable to job duties.

• Assist staff and campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, injury or natural disaster).

• Maintain supervision of assigned area(s) while on duty.

• Possess the mental, visual and auditory ability to respond to environmental hazards and internal and external threats to the camp community.

Preferred Experience: Applicants should have experience and interest in camping and working with children for extended periods of time.  As the group leader or co-leader on trips, Wilderness Trip Leaders should be level-headed, responsible, and safety-minded.  All applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a current driver’s license, and have a good driving record.  CPR and LGT (or equivalent) are required.  WFR is a plus.  If you do not already have WFR certification, we will help you get certified and subsidize part of the cost. 

We provide extensive training at camp in both camping and counseling skills so that the entire Trip Staff is ready to work with campers.  We also facilitate the process for Wilderness Trip Leaders to earn certifications, including American Red Cross Life Guard Certification (LGT) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

Compensation: Wilderness Trip Leaders must be available from May 25th to August 9th 2027. (Start date depends on the need for WFR certification. The WFR course will begin around May 18th, 2027, if necessary.) Salaries are very competitive with other camps and are based on the individual applicant’s experience. Compensation packages include room & board. Additional salary bonuses are available for certain certifications and for additional weeks worked either before or after the camping season.

Paid internship opportunities are also available for Students with outdoor education, recreation, psychology, and related fields. College credit is often an option.

How to apply: We welcome applicants of all genders who are at least 18 years old. To learn more about Birch Trail and complete an online application, visit www.birchtrail.com. You can also email your application, letter of interest, or resume to our winter office. Questions? Reach us at directors@birchtrail.com or call the winter office at 262-238-1263

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls ages 7–15, located in the Northwoods of Minong, Wisconsin. Each summer, 220 campers and 140 staff come together to create a safe, fun, and non-competitive community where girls grow, try new things, and build lasting friendships.

Rock climbing is one of the most popular activities at Birch Trail, and nearly every camper spends time climbing or rappelling during their summer. Our one-of-a-kind wall stands 67 feet tall and 43 feet around, and it's fully leadable. It's packed with features, including horizontal and vertical traverses, bouldering problems, a 67-foot off-width crack route, and much more.

If you love climbing and want to help kids build self-confidence while discovering what they're capable of, a summer at Birch Trail is for you. 

Job Responsibilities

Working as a team of three, climbing staff oversee the entire in-camp climbing program. Responsibilities include:

• Managing all safety aspects of the climbing program

• Training and supervising other staff in belaying techniques

• Teaching campers climbing skills and techniques

• Encouraging and supporting campers as they climb, especially when they're pushing past their comfort zone

• Accompanying campers on three-day rock climbing trips led by a certified climbing outfitter

• Helping set up the climbing wall at the start of the season

• Performing basic equipment maintenance

• Assisting with other areas of the camp program as needed

Before campers arrive, all climbing staff receive professional pre-season training on wall operations, belaying, and climbing safety.

Essential Functions

All Birch Trail staff members must be able to:

• Maintain appropriate and sustained mental, emotional, and social engagement in a fast-paced, youth-centered, community living environment

• Think clearly and exercise sound judgment at all times

• Work cooperatively with staff and campers

• Operate tools, equipment, vehicles, boats, and appliances as required by job duties

• Assist staff and campers during emergencies, including fire, evacuation, illness, injury, or natural disaster

• Maintain supervision of assigned areas while on duty

• Recognize and respond to environmental hazards and internal or external threats to the camp community, using the necessary mental, visual, and auditory abilities

Qualifications

We're looking for fun, enthusiastic climbers who understand both the challenge and the reward of learning to climb, and who want to share that experience with kids.

Required:

• At least 18 years old

• Climbing experience, ideally both indoors and outdoors

• Genuine interest in working with children

• CPR Certification is a plus

Preferred:

• Lead climbing experience

• Experience setting up top rope climbs

• Knowledge of climbing wall setup and safety systems

Season Dates & Compensation

Staff must be available June 3rd – August 9h, 2027. Salaries are competitive and based on experience. Compensation includes room and board with additional bonuses available for certain certifications and for working extra weeks before or after the camp season. Paid internship opportunities are also available for Students with education, recreation, psychology, and related fields. College credit is often available.

How to apply: We welcome applicants of all genders who are at least 18 years old. To learn more about Birch Trail and complete an online application, visit www.birchtrail.com. You can also email your application, letter of interest, or resume to our winter office. Questions? Reach us at directors@birchtrail.com or call the winter office at 262-238-1263

Job Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the Directors, a Cabin Counselor’s goal is to provide a safe and healthy environment for all campers and staff; live in a cabin with and co-supervise campers; lead and assist in teaching one or more activities.

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls ages 7–15, nestled in the beautiful Northwoods of Minong, Wisconsin. Each summer, 220 campers and 140 staff come together to create a safe, fun, and non-competitive community where girls grow, try new things, and build lasting friendships.

Campers choose from a wide range of activities, including canoeing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, tennis, climbing, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dance, yoga, and drama. Every day is filled with adventure, laughter, and connection.

If you love working with kids, want to grow as a leader, and can't wait to spend your summer outdoors, Birch Trail is the place for you. As a staff member, you'll make a real difference in campers' lives while forming lifelong friendships, enjoying camp activities yourself, and experiencing what many call "the summer of a lifetime."

Skills You'll Build

A summer at Birch Trail is more than a great experience. It's real-world preparation for whatever comes next. Our staff leave camp with stronger skills in:

• Leadership, guiding a cabin of campers through each day

• Communication, working with campers, parents, and fellow staff

• Problem-solving, thinking on your feet when plans change

• Conflict resolution, helping campers work through disagreements

• Teamwork, collaborating with staff from across the country and around the world

• Mentoring, supporting girls as they grow in confidence and independence

Job Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Directors, Cabin Counselors provide a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for campers and staff. Counselors live in a cabin with 8–12 campers, sharing supervision with a co-counselor, and lead or assist in teaching one or more activities.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Caring for the emotional and physical well-being of campers 24 hours a day

• Serving as a positive leader and role model

• Using sound judgment in all decisions affecting campers' well-being

• Teaching campers in one or more activity areas

• Helping plan and lead camp programs and activities

• Sharing your own special skills and talents with the camp community

• Reporting any problems or concerns to an administrative staff member

• Approaching the job professionally: arriving on time, ready to work, and taking your role seriously

Qualifications

We're looking for fun, patient, honest, caring, and responsible people who want to spend their summer outdoors with kids. Applicants should have experience working with children, or a strong interest in doing so for extended periods of time.

You don't need to arrive with every answer. Our extensive pre-season training covers counseling skills, so the entire staff is prepared and confident when campers arrive. CPR certification is a plus.

Season Dates & Compensation

Staff must be available June 6th – August 7th, 2027. Salaries are competitive and based on experience, and compensation includes room and board. Paid internship opportunities are also available for Students with education, recreation, psychology, and related fields. College credit is often available.

How to apply: We welcome applicants of all genders who are at least 18 years old. To learn more about Birch Trail and complete an online application, visit www.birchtrail.com. You can also email your application, letter of interest, or resume to our winter office. Questions? Reach us at directors@birchtrail.com or call the winter office at 262-238-1263

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls ages 7–15, located in the Northwoods of Minong, Wisconsin. Each summer, 220 campers and 140 staff come together to create a safe, fun, and non-competitive community where girls grow, try new things, and build lasting friendships.

Our Activity Specialists are the experts behind some of the camp's most popular programs. As a Waterfront Assistant, you'll help lead one of the busiest and most-loved areas of camp, where campers build skills and confidence on the water. Depending on your background, this role may include cabin counseling responsibilities as well.

If you want to work with kids outdoors, gain valuable leadership experience, and share your skills with others, a summer at Birch Trail is for you. Our staff regularly describe their time here as "the summer of a lifetime."

Job Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Waterfront Director, Waterfront Assistants help run a safe and enjoyable waterfront program. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching campers waterfront skills, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, and diving.

• Caring for and maintaining waterfront equipment, including the water toy, PFDs, sailboats, and rescue boat

• Keeping the beachfront clean and organized

• Serving as a positive leader and role model

• Using sound judgment in all decisions affecting campers' well-being

• Reporting any problems or concerns to an administrative staff member

• Approaching the job professionally: arriving on time, ready to work, and taking your role seriously

Essential Functions

All Birch Trail staff members must be able to:

• Maintain appropriate and sustained mental, emotional, and social engagement in a fast-paced, youth-centered, community living environment

• Think clearly and exercise sound judgment at all times

• Work cooperatively with staff and campers

• Operate tools, equipment, vehicles, boats, and appliances as required by job duties

• Assist staff and campers during emergencies, including fire, evacuation, illness, injury, or natural disaster

• Maintain supervision of assigned areas while on duty

• Recognize and respond to environmental hazards and internal or external threats to the camp community, using the necessary mental, visual, and auditory abilities

Qualifications

We're looking for fun, patient, honest, caring, and responsible people who want to spend their summer outdoors with kids. Applicants should have experience working with children, or a strong interest in doing so for extended periods of time.

Required:

• Current lifeguard certification and lifeguarding experience

• Current CPR certification or higher

• Experience with a variety of watercraft and water activities, and comfort teaching these skills to others

Our extensive pre-season training covers counseling skills, so the entire staff is prepared and confident when campers arrive.

Season Dates & Compensation

Staff must be available June 6th – August 7th, 2026. Salaries are competitive and based on experience, and compensation includes room and board, plus access to camp facilities and activities during time off. Additional bonuses are available for certain certifications and for working extra weeks before or after the camp season.

Additional Information About Birch Trail Camp for Girls

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls aged 7-15 located in Minong, Wisconsin. We  provide a safe, fun, and non-competitive summer camp environment for 225 campers and 115 staff. While in camp, the girls  have the opportunity to do a wide variety of activities, including canoeing, sailing, swimming, tennis, water skiing, climbing,  land sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dance, yoga, and drama. 

Salaries are very competitive with other camps and based on the individual applicant’s experience.  Compensation packages include room & board plus a tax-free travel stipend. Additional salary bonuses are available for  certain certifications and for additional weeks worked either before or after the camping season.